$10 million awarded to programs for Kent County families

Aug 22

Photo credit: Isabel Media Studios/First Steps Kent

Two weeks after Kent County residents voted 59-41 to renew the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved $10,059,999 to support young children and their families in Kent County. Funding will be distributed to 18 community-based organizations operating 31 programs from October 2024 to September 2025.

Last year, more than 14,000 children and families benefited from the services of these community-based organizations.

"We deeply appreciate the support from the residents of Kent County. The Ready by Five Millage remains a crucial investment, significantly improving the lives of young children and their families in our community," said Jennifer Headley-Nordman, President, First Steps Kent. "The overwhelming demand for funding highlights the essential nature of this millage and its ongoing positive impact."

A Resident Proposal Review Board comprised of parents, Kent County Commissioners, and other community members reviewed 42 proposals submitted totaling more than $13 million. The Resident Proposal Review Board's recommendations went to the First Steps Kent Board of Commissioners, which administers the millage funding, and were approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners.

Program categories and organizations funded include:

Outreach and navigation: Outreach and Navigation services educate parents about resources to support their child's healthy development and early learning. The services make a personal connection with parents and check they are getting support from the programs that best fit their needs. Organizations funded include Kent ISD, Health Net of West Michigan, and Family Futures.
Early learning programs: High-quality early learning experiences nurture a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Programs in this area ensure all children have access to quality learning opportunities and to build literacy and language skills. Organizations funded include Comprehensive Therapy Center, Vibrant Futures, Kent ISD, and Grand Rapids Community College.
Healthy development programs: Healthy Development programs focus on improving the lives of families in Kent County through healthier pregnancies and births, overall child health and well-being, and ensuring children are developmentally on track. Organizations funded include Kent County Health Department, Arbor Circle, Bethany Christian Services, Family Promise, Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, The PlaygroundGR, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.
Parent education and support: Parent Education and Support programming ensures parents have the knowledge and skills to support their children's health, development, and learning. Services provide in-home and/or community-based support and education. Programs offer parent education through home visiting and ancillary support that addresses the preventable causes of infant and child mortality. Organizations funded include Cherry Health, D.A. Blodgett – St. John's, Kent ISD, MomsBloom, Corewell Health, and Vibrant Futures. Also funded under this category are Bethany Christian Services and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan for translation and interpretation support.

"We are excited to continue seeing the positive impact the Ready by Five millage will have in equipping our children with the tools and resources they need to thrive in school," said Al Vanderberg, Kent County Administrator. "We thank the voters for renewing the millage, everyone who submitted a funding request, and those who selected the organizations. We look forward to the transformative outcomes that will result from our continued and collaborative efforts."

For the full list of 2024-25 funded programs and services, visit: https://9407491.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9407491/Ready%20by%20Five%20Programs%20Overview_2024-25.pdf.